PERMFILE102806

• Permit No: C1981032
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 12/11/2001
• Doc Name: Diversion Ditch and Sediment
• Section_Exhibit Name: CHAPTER C MINE OPEATION PLAN Appendix A
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• NORTHERN COAL CODIPANY RESPOt7SE TO CMLR JUt7E 15, 1981 ADEQUAC] LETTER
2.05.3 Operation Plan
(4.01.1(1))
1. The maximum and minimum thickness of coal to be mined in each seam should
be specified.
Response: The maximum coal to be mined in the Rienau No. 2 and Northern PIo. 1
Mines is 12 feet. The minimum coal which will be mined is 6 feet. These
variances will depend upon geologic conditions and are dictated by equipment
limitations also.
2. Why is mining not planned closer to the projected outcrops and burned
areas in each mine?
Response: Generally, the outcrop and burned areas contain very low quality
coal and these areas also tend to have hazardous roof and room conditions due
to lack of structural integrity of the material being mined. Our plan is to
take all coal of suitable quality which can be safely mined. It is impossible
to project exactly how far any given panel might go to an outcrop due to lack
of specific information. Our projections are made on the best information available.
• 3. The method of splitting pillars in the room and pillar mining sections
is not given. A diagram showing proposed sequence of mining within a pillar
should be submitted.
Response: During the five year plan we will be splitting no pillars as we
anticipate no retreat mining. When Northern submits an additional modification
or second five year plan which calls for retreat mining, we will discuss
splitting the pillars at that time.
4. The applicant dogs not discuss the recovery of main haulage and air course
pillars on final retreat.
Response: [de will not recover main haulage and air course pillars-
5. t7ot applicable - pursuant to April 16th meeting.
6. The applicant should fully discuss the reasons why the projected recovery
is less than 50 percent in the P seam, the Northern T7o. 3 Ptine and the
Rienau No. 2 Mine.
Response: The percentage of recovery in the Rienau No. 2 Pline is somewhat less
than 50 percent due to the fact that the seam is significantly thicker than the
equipment available to mine such a seam. Combined with the steeply dipping
nature of the seam and the 12 foot reach of the equipment, the overall recovery
is less than 50 percent and cannot be improved significantly. Any efforts to
improve the percentage of recovery would result in safety problems.
~ 7. No[ applicable - pursuant to April 16th meeting.
4